Mahmoud Khalil Files $20M Wrongful Detention Claim Against Trump Administration
Mahmoud Khalil Files $20M Wrongful Detention Claim Against Trump Administration
Mahmoud Khalil, a former student activist, has initiated a significant legal challenge against the administration of President Donald Trump, filing a $20 million claim for wrongful detention and alleged defamation. The court filings, submitted this Thursday, accuse the Trump administration of smearing Khalil’s reputation, malicious prosecution, and unlawful imprisonment.
The claim specifically names the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of State as defendants. Khalil, a prominent voice in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, stated in an interview that he hopes this claim will hold the Trump administration accountable for what he describes as an abuse of power against activists.
Khalil’s legal action follows his arrest on March 8, 2025, by plain-clothed immigration officers, despite being a permanent US resident. He was subsequently held for over three months, missing the birth of his first child, before a judge in New Jersey ordered his release on June 20, 2025. The Trump administration, upon taking office in January 2025, had issued executive orders targeting foreign nationals deemed to have ‘hostile attitudes’ or who were accused of supporting ‘threats to national security’, actions that Khalil’s legal team contends violated his constitutional rights to free speech.
This claim is expected to precede a full-fledged lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Khalil has indicated that any damages received would be used to support other activists whose speech has been suppressed, and that he would also consider an apology and a revision of the administration’s deportation policies.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.